Dubbo residents will be able to purchase rapid antigen tests as early as next week, with supermarkets starting sales from Monday.
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The Rapid antigen tests, or 'RAT' tests, have been approved for use in Australia from November 1. They are already being used widely in Europe and the US.
They are less reliable that the PCR tests which are widely used by NSW Health, but are quick in providing a response in around 15 minutes.
A Coles spokesperson confirmed that stores including Dubbo would be stocked from next week.
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"Rapid Antigen Test kits will be available for sale at Coles supermarkets and via Coles online in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory , the ACT and Tasmania from next week," a spokesperson said. "We will be offering the TGA approved Hough Pharma COVID Antigen Nasal Test in packs of two and five."
A two pack will cost $30 and a five pack will be $50.
Woolworths will stock the same brand testing kits for the same price, from "early November", but will start delivering pre-ordered kits from Monday.
The company is using RAT testing at their distribution centres across the country
"Rapid antigen testing is helping protect our distribution centre team members across Australia from COVID-19," a spokesperson said.
"We're now looking to stock at home self-test kits, which have been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, in selected stores from early November.
"HealthyLife will have tests shipping to customers from 1 November. Customers can pre-order them now."
HealthyLife is Woolworths' digital health and wellness business. The spokesperson confirmed that Dubbo was among those stores to be included in the rollout.
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